Joseph C. “Joe” Petrolia, 80, of Yorktown, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018, after a brief illness.
Joe Petrolia was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where he also met his wife Jeannette. Eventually, the Petrolia’s moved to Hampton, where after a career in business, Joe became a government and history teacher at Ferguson High School. He also taught the same subjects, in addition to drama, at public and private schools in Florida and Ohio. During his teaching career, Joe coached basketball and softball teams at his school and also coached basketball at local YMCA and rec leagues. In addition to his family and friends, Joe had a passion for golf, basketball, acting and directing in theatre, politics and the New York Yankees.
Joe was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Jeannette Petrolia, who passed away in 2014; parents, Charles and Cecelia Petrolia; brother, Marty Petrolia; and brother-in-laws, Joe Dowd and Joe Ingrassia.
Joe is survived by his two sons, Joe Petrolia of Carmel, Indiana, and Charlie Petrolia of Yorktown; daughter-in-law, Anna Petrolia of Yorktown; granddaughter, Brianna Petrolia of Yorktown; two loving sisters, Pat Dowd of London, England, and Janice Costa, and her husband, Phil, of Hicksville, New York; sister-in-law, Donna Ingrassia of Lyndhurst, New Jersey; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 22, at Bucktrout Funeral Home, Williamsburg. A funeral Mass will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Saint Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg.
Share online condolences with the family at Bucktrout of Williamsburg Funeral Service.
